Graham officially files for re-election to Senate

12:25 AM,
Mar. 20, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 07: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduces new legislation, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol November 7, 2013 in Washington, DC. Graham, who is seeking a third term in the Senate in 2014, is facing a primary challenge from Tea Party-backed candidate Nancy Mace. After Graham criticized a filibuster against the Obama administration's drone program by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), FreedomWorks president Matt Kibbe said Graham is 'begging for a primary' fight. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 187413730 ORIG FILE ID: 187259157

Written by

Mary Orndorff Troyan
| Washington Bureau

Sen. Lindsey Graham and his challengers have been on the campaign trail for months, but the two-term Republican incumbent on Wednesday became the first candidate to officially submit his name for the ballot.

Graham gave his paperwork and $10,440 filing fee to the South Carolina State Election Commission in Columbia. Several other Republicans are expected to do the same before the March 30 deadline, setting up an intense 72-day competition before the June 10 GOP primary.

Democrats have the same schedule to decide who will face the winning Republican in the Nov. 4 general election. ...